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Lunenburg schools to end class-rank reporting

By Joe Atmonavage, jatmonavage@sentinelandenterprise.com

Updated:
05/05/2016 06:38:28 AM EDT

LUNENBURG -- In 1993, 42 percent of colleges considered class rank to be "of considerable importance" in making admissions decisions. In 2013, just 15 percent made that assessment, according to a presentation presented by Lunenburg High School Principal Brian Spadafino.

It is part of the reason why Lunenburg High School proposed to the School Committee that it eliminate class rank in April. At its meeting Wednesday, with Superintendent Loxi Jo Calmes' recommendation, the committee unanimously voted to eliminate the reporting of class rank to college admissions starting next school year.

"We found that it was hurting more students than it was helping," Spadafino said. "It is an outdated practice that is used throughout the college admissions process. We didn't see it as being good for our students."

Spadafino said at an April School Committee colleges said a class rank has hurt some students. He said colleges cannot hold it against students if they don't have a class rank, but some students were missing out on scholarships and being denied enrollment into honors colleges because of it.

Spadafino said he had strong support for the elimination of reporting class rank throughout the school. Seventy-five percent of teachers supported and the Student Council unanimously supported it, he said.

Calmes said the information Spadafino presented to her is why she supports it.

"It is really compelling relative to the opportunity that high-performing students have lost due to this system," she said.

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"That was the most compelling piece of evidence that came to the table."

Calmes is not worried students will begin to take easier classes without a class rank looming over them.

"I have confidence that students will be advised to take rigorous classes," she said. "I don't see any connection with class ranking with that."

School Committee member Wendy Bertram said she appreciated the school evolving with a national trend.

"As a parent of a child in our high school and one who will be in a few years, I appreciate it," she said. "The 21st century learning has a lot more pressure to it. i feel like not just here but everywhere is coming around to look at the entire well-being our students. This sees like it will make a difference."

Wachusett Regional, Nashoba Regional, Manchester-Essex and many others are other schools in the state who no longer report class rank to college admissions.

"This trend is going away from class rank," Spadadino said. "We wanted to get on board and do what is best for the kids."

Class rank will only be used to determine the valedictorian and salutatorian, Calmes said.

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